Vice President, Engineering

The Systems Development Division (SDD) delivers technology advantage into users’ hands. Our programs deliver sustainable, reliable, and cost-efficient capabilities focused on end-customer needs that function in operationally relevant environments and timeframes. SDD considers the entire lifecycle of the solution, from conceptualization and architecting, through development, to deployment, while leveraging novel technologies to deliver first-of-a-kind systems. Current efforts include programs for airborne and space RF, Command and Control, and advanced testing enabled by multi-function, multi-modal capabilities.

STR’s Systems Development Division (SDD) seeks a VP of Engineering to help grow our organization through the challenges of transitioning research and development into capabilities for development programs. The VP of Engineering will be responsible for people management and development, process creation and improvement, and technology development within SDD. The candidate will need to work with the SDD Program Office and other Divisions in staffing, proposal writing and program execution.

The candidate will have experience in areas such as: systems engineering, hardware design and development, software design and implementation, and test & evaluation. This position requires skills in working with multi-disciplinary teams, managing system design, development, and test programs, as well as technical proficiency in relevant technologies.

Strong interpersonal, communication, technical, and peer-leadership skills are required. Applicants are expected to be self-motivated, detail oriented and have a demonstrated ability to effectively communicate with all levels of management and individual contributors on the program team through strong written and verbal communication skills.

The role:

The Systems Development VP will report to the Senior Vice President of the Systems Development Division and be a key part of a team made up of experts in Programs, Engineering, Plans, and Strategy. The successful candidate will:

Problem Solving / Critical Thinking

• Establish engineering rigor and efficient processes for programs.
• Identify new techniques or refinements to drive a continuous improvement culture.
• Establish the processes and design guidelines that foster efficient execution of programs.
• Show ingenuity in problem solving, applying novel solutions to new and existing challenges.

Strategy / Proposals / Customer Relationships

• Participate and drive the technology and business roadmap development.
• Work with the Senior VP of SDD to create and maintain an SDD strategy.
• Review all proposals for price and technical feasibility.
• Prepare and deliver high-level briefings to customers and senior management. Interact with decision-makers and customers to translate mission needs into an end-to-end solution.
• Develop and maintain a positive working relationship with the Program Office and other Divisions.
• Have a wide breadth of expertise and ability to communicate with a diverse set of technical and government experts.
• Be a strong communicator with the ability to express a new idea or concept in many forms. Be able to listen and respond to other experts to forge a common path forward.
• Be a proven team player, able to work with a range of personalities and show an ability to inspire others to achieve new heights.

Defense Expertise

• Have a strong background in applying advanced technology to solve our Nation’s most difficult problems.
• Working knowledge of government acquisitions and understanding how to get things done within the DoD and IC acquisition systems.

Technical Capability:

• Understand system development and have demonstrated contribution/leadership in architecture definition, design, development, requirements verification, test planning, test execution, data analysis, and operations support.
• Can survey literature to determine state-of-the-art solutions and incorporate them to current problem sets.

Hiring / People Management

• Develop and maintain a hiring strategy that meets the program’s labor demands but does not create unnecessary Indirect Labor.
• Show a demonstrated ability to lead teams of direct reports, as well as influence those around them in a positive way to achieve a common goal.
• Have experience mentoring and providing career development direction to staff. Possess the ability to assign staff to programs in a way that promotes career development and program execution.

Requirements:

• This position requires an Active Top Secret (TS) security clearance and must be eligible to support special access programs, for which U.S. citizenship is needed by U.S. Government.
• 10+ years' experience leading and managing engineering programs for complex defense systems development programs, including technology process development projects.
• Significant experience managing subcontractors who provide electronic hardware.
• Advanced MS Office skills - Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Visio, Project, SharePoint.
• Exceptional interpersonal, communication, problem solving and organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Previous positive interactions with a range of Government sponsors, corporate executives, internal technical staff and contractors; demonstrating competence, poise, and accountability.
• Ability to effectively work in a team environment.
• Demonstrated desire to successfully pursue new challenges, improve and broaden technical skills, and increase individual value to the organization.
• Demonstrated experience in leadership and delivery of advanced development projects.
• Willing to travel as required, in the US and abroad, to accomplish the mission.
• Background should include a Bachelor’s degree and at least 15 years of applicable experience; Master’s degree and at least 13 years of applicable experience; or PhD and at least 10 years of applicable experience.

STR is a growing technology company with locations near Boston, MA, Arlington, VA, near Dayton, OH, Melbourne, FL, and Carlsbad, CA. We specialize in advanced research and development for defense, intelligence, and national security in: cyber; next generation sensors, radar, sonar, communications, and electronic warfare; and artificial intelligence algorithms and analytics to make sense of the complexity that is exploding around us.

STR is committed to creating a collaborative learning environment that supports deep technical understanding and recognizes the contributions and achievements of all team members. Our work is challenging, and we go home at night knowing that we pushed the envelope of technology and made the world safer.

STR is not just any company. Our people, culture, and attitude along with their unique set of skills, experiences, and perspectives put us on a trajectory to change the world. We can't do it alone, though - we need fellow trailblazers. If you are one, join our team and help to keep our society safe!